Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Dark"

Start with both hands in an open, flat shape with your fingers together. Position them near the sides of your head with your palms facing toward you. Bring both hands downward and across your face so that your wrists cross in front of you. The movement should look exactly like you are pulling a curtain closed over your face to block out the light.

Examples Using "Dark" in a Sentence

1

It's getting dark outside.

To express this, you can point outside or sign 'outside', and then use the sign for 'dark'. You might also slightly lower your head or furrow your eyebrows to emphasize the changing light.

2

The room is too dark to read.

Sign 'room', then 'dark', and finally 'read'. When signing 'dark', you can use a slightly exaggerated facial expression, like squinting your eyes, to show that the lack of light is causing a problem.

3

I prefer dark blue over light blue.

You can use this sign to describe shades of colors! Simply sign 'dark' immediately before signing the color 'blue' to specify the exact shade you are talking about.

How to Sign "Dark"
Start with both hands in an open, flat shape with your fingers together. Position them near the sides of your head with your palms facing toward you. Bring both hands downward and across your face so that your wrists cross in front of you. The movement should look exactly like you are pulling a curtain closed over your face to block out the light.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'dark' is a wonderful example of how highly visual and iconic American Sign Language can be. The movement of both hands coming down from the sides of the head and crossing directly in front of the face visually represents a curtain being drawn closed or shadows falling over your field of vision. By physically blocking your own view with your hands, the sign effectively and intuitively communicates the concept of blocking out the light and creating a state of darkness.
Signing Tips
To sign 'dark' naturally, keep both of your hands flat and relatively relaxed, using the 'open B' handshape. It is crucial to make sure your palms are facing toward you throughout the entire movement. The crossing motion should happen smoothly and deliberately right in front of your face, with your hands ending around your upper chest or neck area. Think of the movement as a gentle, sweeping gesture that clearly conveys the idea of darkness falling or shadows covering a space.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make with this sign is facing their palms outward instead of toward themselves, which can confuse the meaning or look like a different sign entirely. Another frequent error is making the movement too small or keeping the hands too low. Ensure your hands start up near the sides of your head and cross visibly in front of your face. This large, encompassing movement is necessary to accurately represent the feeling of darkness covering everything around you.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Dark" in a Sentence
1

It's getting dark outside.

To express this, you can point outside or sign 'outside', and then use the sign for 'dark'. You might also slightly lower your head or furrow your eyebrows to emphasize the changing light.

2

The room is too dark to read.

Sign 'room', then 'dark', and finally 'read'. When signing 'dark', you can use a slightly exaggerated facial expression, like squinting your eyes, to show that the lack of light is causing a problem.

3

I prefer dark blue over light blue.

You can use this sign to describe shades of colors! Simply sign 'dark' immediately before signing the color 'blue' to specify the exact shade you are talking about.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does the sign for 'dark' also mean 'night'?

While they are closely related concepts, the signs for 'dark' and 'night' are completely different in ASL. 'Night' is signed by tapping your curved dominant hand over the back of your non-dominant wrist, which represents the sun setting over the horizon. 'Dark' focuses on light being blocked out.

Can I use this sign to talk about dark colors?

Yes, absolutely! You can use the sign for 'dark' to describe deep or dark colors, such as 'dark blue', 'dark green', or 'dark red'. Just perform the sign for 'dark' immediately before signing the specific color to clearly indicate the shade you mean.

Do my hands have to touch when they cross?

Your hands or wrists may lightly brush against each other as they cross in front of your face, but they certainly don't need to press together firmly. Focus more on creating a smooth, sweeping motion that brings both hands across your field of vision.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!